INDICATOR GUIDE FOR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT NAVIGATION IN IMAGE-GUIDED MEDICAL PROCEDURES

摘要

An indicator guide and method of use is provided for use with an instrument arranged to be guided to a target site within the body of the patient by an electronic tracking system. A sensor is coupled to at least one of the instrument and indicator guide provides a signal to the tracking system which determines the position and orientation of the instrument with respect to the target site and provides output signals indicative thereof. The indicator guide includes a display responsive to the output signals for providing a visual indication of the path the instrument should take to reach the target site and for providing a perceptible indication of the distance to the target site. The display is located on or immediately adjacent the instrument and within the surgical field, whereupon the user can readily see the display while directly viewing and moving the instrument along that path.

主权项

1. An indicator guide for guiding the movement of a instrument by a user in an image guided medical procedure on a patient, the instrument being arranged to be introduced and guided in a surgical field to a target site within the body of the patient by an electronic tracking system, at least one of the instrument and said indicator guide comprising a sensor for providing a signal to the tracking system, the tracking system being arranged determine the position and orientation of the instrument with respect to the target site in response to the signal from the sensor and for providing output signals to said indicator guide, said indicator guide comprising a display responsive to the output signals from the tracking system for providing a visual indication of the path to which the instrument should be oriented and directed to reach the target site and for providing a perceptible indication of the distance of the instrument to the target site, said display being located on or immediately adjacent the instrument in the surgical field, whereupon the user can readily see the display while directly viewing and moving the instrument along that path.